Psychologists define 'the dark core of personality'
Egoism, Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, spitefulness share a common 'dark core'. If you have one of these tendencies, you are also likely to have one or more of the others.
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Main titles
- The 'dark triad' of negative tendencies is comprised of psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism.
- New research shows that all dark aspects of human personality are very closely linked.
- Most dark traits can be understood as flavoured manifestations of a single core of personality.
- The common denominator of all dark traits, the D-factor, can be defined as: The general tendency to maximize one’s individual utility - disregarding, accepting, or malevolently provoking disutility for others -, accompanied by beliefs that serve as justifications.
- Ingo Zettler, Professor of Psychology at the University of Copenhagen, and two German colleagues, Morten Moshagen from Ulm University and Benjamin E. Hilbig from the University of Koblenz-Landau, have demonstrated how this common denominator is present in nine of the most commonly studied dark personality traits:
- Egoism - indulgence in self interest.
- Machiavellianism - a belief that the end justifies the means.
- Moral disengagement - a belief that ethical standards do not apply to oneself.
- Narcissism - excessive admiration in oneself.
- Psychological entitlement - a belief that one is entitled to more than others.
- Sadism - deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others.
- Self-interest - pursuing advantage without regard to others.
- Spitefulness - willingness to cause malice.
Study: University of Copenhagen, Ulm University, University of Koblenz-Landau
